Who would you like to see the Raptors sign/draft as STARTING PG for 2012

Ok so we have much debated the wonders of Bayless and Calderon on here, and the drafting of Kabongo etc, but now I am wondering who the de facto favourite is as the STARTING PG for next year is from the Republic.

I am adding in a trade choice for the likes of Steph Curry and Kyle Lowry, but overall I am assuming they are truly untouchables right now, at least for what we would want to give up in return. We have about $20M in FA money for next year on current projections, and with a solid, or at least set frontcourt, and likely set at the 2, we need punch from the PG and SF positions, likely one coming from the draft and the other FA/trade.

So who do ya like for the group next year with the current guaranteed or team option contracts:

I am a Felton signer, with a hope to pick up another pick and draft Kabongo or Marshall to understudy Felton/Calderon.

Of course if we cannot get a MKG, Miller or Barnes out of the draft, I am also for a draft of Kabongo/Marshall, using money to chase a SF FA like Wilson Chandler etc. and bypass a Felton using Calderon on a longer cheaper contract, but first choice is Felton and draft.

It all depends. Jose has played so well that he has boosted his trade value. If there is a good offer then move him and try for Felton with a Kabongo or Marshall scenario as understudy. I want to see Barnes at the 3, I think he is the perfect fit, but we need a lot of luck for the ping pong balls to go our way.

I know it's pretty unlikely, but so is Westbrook, so I'm just going to say it: why no love for D-Will? As it stands now, no one expects him to stay in NJ because they look like they're at least 2-3 seasons from respectability, nevermind contending.

In a more serious way, I'd take Felton because he's more likely to come at a reasonable price, is a good distributor, and good teammate. None of the guys I've mentioned are really defensive stoppers, with Westbrook probably being the best at containing 1-on-1. Westbrook is also the one who still needs the most maturing, although with the highest ceiling maybe, although D-Will will be judged by how much he wins in the long run because everyone knows his ability is top tier. I also would question Westbrook's character for leaving a situation where he could win multiple titles. And not even necessarily for money, just to be "the man". What if we get a great draft pick this year who is a franchise calibre player? Will Westbrook then clash with him? Bad bad character trait if the rumors become true. I'll pass on that, and go back to other prizes like Williams, Felton, making a trade or drafting someone.

Random thoughts: I'm a Kabongo fan and curious to see how he looks come draft time. Not a Marshall fan, he really can't shoot and it really can be a problem in the NBA. It's not like he's scoring in other ways too, so that's a bad sign. I'm not big on trading for Curry right now, but only because of his ankle problems, so I might be more open to it if it doesn't seem lingering. If we can't upgrade, keep Jose until we can.

Random thoughts: I'm a Kabongo fan and curious to see how he looks come draft time. Not a Marshall fan, he really can't shoot and it really can be a problem in the NBA. It's not like he's scoring in other ways too, so that's a bad sign. I'm not big on trading for Curry right now, but only because of his ankle problems, so I might be more open to it if it doesn't seem lingering. If we can't upgrade, keep Jose until we can.

Marshall is kinda like Jason Kidd, he wasn't known for hit jumper coming in but hes a great distributer. You gotta go with this guy, cause just by him not getting respect from the league from his jumper, he will learn to stick open jumpers and thus become an all around player..eventually.

Marshall is kinda like Jason Kidd, he wasn't known for hit jumper coming in but hes a great distributer. You gotta go with this guy, cause just by him not getting respect from the league from his jumper, he will learn to stick open jumpers and thus become an all around player..eventually.

I don't know, Jason Kidd could do a lot of other things well, and also has beastly size (and knows how to use it). I'm not saying Marshall won't be good in the NBA because if any of us could definitively say that kind of thing we'd have jobs in basketball, but I do worry that his weaknesses are too numerous and crucial to the NBA game. It's not like he is just a bad shooter, he's a bad scorer all around, a weak defender and doesn't bring the all around game a Jason Kidd does, or even a Rajon Rondo to go with another poor shooter.

Marshall is kinda like Jason Kidd, he wasn't known for hit jumper coming in but hes a great distributer. You gotta go with this guy, cause just by him not getting respect from the league from his jumper, he will learn to stick open jumpers and thus become an all around player..eventually.

Jason Kidd was also a number 2 overall draft pick. While I get your point I think, overall, Marshall and Kidd are in totally different classes.

I think of all the names mentioned Felton makes the most sense. He's only 27 (28 next year). He's a pass first PG, which is what I like - and he has a calmness about him that I like. The only issue I can see is that he'd probably demand somewhere around $10M a year, and I'm sure would want multiple years at least 4 years. He's not an all-star, but plays a position that would be in high demand, especially from a lot of veteran teams. This is Jose money, so could be a really big risk going forward.

I can see Portland trying to resign him first as they don't really have a guy that can step in for him. But you would also have teams like Dallas (if they don't get DWill), LAL, NJ (if DWill leaves), Miami, NY, Orlando, NO, Phoenix (if Nash leaves).. and some of those cities may make more sense for him, especially from a guy who grew up on the west coast.

But if Toronto can land him, I think it would be a great move.

If Felton does not happen, then I'm okay with Jose for another season.. I don't think we'll get Kabongo/Marshall though. I think a PG is a very attractive position for a lot of teams, and Kabongo and/or Marshall may be near the top on a lot of team's lists. In that case, we may have to wait until 2013 for our PG.

I am still high on the Westbrook theory. I honestly doubt that he and Durant can co-exist, since Westbrook is a natural leader and wants to run the squad. I say simply S&T for Westbrook and OKC gets Calderon and the pick this year. That way we have a defined leader, a top prospect, AB and DD. Then we go out and find a 3 on the market somewhere. Now we have a very talented starting five and a pretty deep bench. The only issue I see is Westbrook's personality and body language sort of gives away the fact that he's a headache to be around. We'll see I guess..

Westbrook is a max caliber, restricted free agent. OKC would match the offer, then trade him if he was dead set on leaving. With the lowly Nets embarrassing on us on our home floor recently, why will Deron suddenly give up on his dream to play with Dwight Howard to come here?

Felton is a realistic target if we make the offer rich enough. I hope BC explores the possibility of adding Kabongo. Other teams are going to want him though. If Bargnani turns the corner this season, would you trade Ed Davis for Kabongo?